A must-see movie!

Phoebe and Eliza were both leaving today - Eliza needed to be gone by noon or so, so we had a lovely lunch together.  Then Phoebe said, well, I don't have to go until 5:30, what shall we do?  (What I love about Phoebe is the way she is nice and direct!!)

So I said, well, what about a movie.  And Phoebe said, I was just thinking that we could go to a movie.

 The Krikorian - our default choice when going to the movies  - had nothing we wanted to see.  Then I remembered a movie Harry had wanted to see after he read the review in the LA Times a few weeks ago.  At that time, the movie wasn't playing anywhere close.

But lucky for us, I checked the listings for the Laemmle, our other movie theater of choice, and there it was in black and white - the title, not the movie!  The Music of Strangers, Yo-Yo Ma the Silk Road Ensemble. 

This is a documentary about the efforts of Yo-Yo Ma, world-renowned cellist, and other international musicians, to create a music ensemble that will bring cultures together, create cultural awareness, serve mankind, provide understanding and peace, and play beautiful music.

Sounds like a tall order doesn't it?  Well, it does, but it is achievable - and this film shows you how it's done. In addition, the film also highlights the current issues in the Middle East and the refugee problem.

My description sounds lame - because talking about beauty isn't always beautiful is it?? You need to watch and listen - and this film is the best place to start.

Take my word for it!

Summer reading - maybe!

Sometimes a book grabs you - and sometimes it doesn't!  This one had a compelling story line for a bit, but then it degenerated and started "flailing" somewhat.  That is to say, it was not so compelling after awhile.

And the ending was a little too pat - a combo of romance fiction and John Grisham!!

If I owned a copy, I probably wouldn't keep it!

Getting behinder and behinder!!

It's been a busy spring - and doesn't look like it will get any less busy anytime soon, but I have been getting some reading done - mostly when I travel though!!  I don't dare start a book at home - then truly nothing will get done!!  

Hannah had this one from the library - I am so out of touch, I didn't even know there was a new Maisie Dobb's out.  Maisie has lost a lot of her charm - I read mostly out of loyalty.  This was typical of her later stuff - predictable and a little stilted.  Not sure why I feel compelled to read her.  It's a lot like the Mitford novels - took me a while to give those up too.

I think Phoebe recommended this one - or maybe Leslie - but it is good!  A coming of age story that is well-written and beautiful in its depiction of life in the 60's.  Have not even heard of this author - apparently he is well known as a mystery/detective writer - but he has captured youth and religion and coming-of-age beautifully. The incident that the title comes from is especially moving.

I was at the airport early - quite early actually - and saw this in the airport store, so I bought it - along with a People magazine - my airport guilty pleasure -  because I had read a review of it in the New Yorker.  I don't think they often review adolescent novels, so I wanted to find out why.  It is beautifully written - and so evocative of youth and life and sorrow and being different but the same.  I'm actually not sure a young person could really appreciate it - but maybe I'm wrong on that score.

Always love an Anna Quindlen novel - was delighted to hear there was a new one out.  This was a good read, and well-written, but not actually excellent literature - a little too "pat" at times.  But it was a good read!

Now I am reading a book Alice recommended - won't be traveling for a few weeks so I'm not sure when I will get it read - you'll just have to check the blog - all 5 of my readers that is!!

If you give a mouse a cookie . . .

Well, the 2016 Book Reading Challenge said to re-read a book you had read before.  That wasn't a tough sell - I have read GWTW about 30 times I suspect - that's not counting the times I've skimmed through it to just re-read my fave parts!!

I did notice this time that the book is significantly racist.  I have known that intellectually for many years, but I haven't really had it hit me in the face like it did this time.  It took a little away from my enjoyment.  But I noted that she could have left the racist descriptions out - and to my way of thinking most of the racism comes with the way she describes the black characters in the story - and the book would have been just as good a story - and quite a bit shorter.

That's probably a pretty simplistic way of looking at the issue.  But you do have to keep in mind that it was written in 1936 - and much of what she wrote and believed was the prevalent thought of the day. The same issue comes up every time some school teacher has the class read Mark Twain or Ayn Rand.  It's pretty essential to keep historical context in mind when reading "controversial" books.

I think that GWTW is a great story - and that has been its major appeal - and is why it's still read and enjoyed today.  I know the plot by heart.  I actually have lots of the dialogue memorized.  But the story still moves me!

In 1992, the Margaret Mitchell estate had a competition and authorized a sequel.  I was pretty excited when it came out and got the book and read it right away.  I also enjoyed that "story" a lot - but the writing was not nearly as evocative as Margaret Mitchell.  GWTW is the only book she ever wrote - and she did die young - but she was a skillful writer.

So much like the mouse who wants a glass of milk when you give him a cookie, I felt the need to re-read the sequel.  It was a good read - and it was only the 2nd time I'd read it, so it was a lot like reading a book for the first time.  But as I have said before, the writing was somewhat dull and tedious - and I was mostly reading to get the plot advanced!!  I have not seen the TV movie version of it - and doubt that I will.  Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable are Scarlett and Rhett - and there's no doubt about that in my mind!

The estate authorized another sequel in 2002 - Rhett Butler's People -  and I read that one also - was tempted to re-read it but the first few pages didn't really grab me this time, so I put it down in favor of Grapes of Wrath, the book my home/hospital student is reading.  That is a re-read for me too, but since it's so well-written, a re-read is a treat.

I don't often re-read books - GWTW, Grapes of Wrath,  The Pearl, and Mrs. Mike are the major repeaters in my repertoire, also the core lit selections from my years of middle school teaching - but sometimes it's fun to curl up with an "old friend" - especially on a rainy afternoon, which is how it worked out for me.

If you have not read GWTW though, you do owe yourself a read!!

"A book set in Europe"

Ara sent me a 2016 Reading Challenge that looks a little more extensive than the one I have - this one fits the category "A book set in Europe."  (I haven't done as much reading this year as I usually do - not sure what that says about my life!)

Anyway, Hannah recommended this one, and it is a good read.  The premise is that what would happen if your life ended - but then the scenario changed and you didn't die?

Ursula Todd dies at birth - at least at the beginning of the book - but then the scenario is replayed - and she doesn't die!  Her life continues on in this vein through World War I and World War II and goes up to 1967.  It might sound like it's pretty confusing, but it's not - you actually start wondering how each new life or scenario is going to play out.

There are some interesting and intriguing episodes involving Hitler and Eva Braun.  It is also a story about a family - the Todds - and how their lives intertwine and influence each other.

And apparently the novel after this, A God In Ruins, is kind of a sequel.  One I will undoubtedly get and read!!

Another adventure with Miss Buncle!!

Well, this does not fill any unfilled categories in my 2016 Book Challenge, but it was a fun read.  These novels - apparently there are 4 in the Miss Buncle series and this is number 2 - are quite charming.  They were written by D. E. Stevenson, who lived from 1892 to 1973 and wrote over 50 novels.  Apparently there has been an interest in her books and some have been re-published.

The best part though is that she is the granddaughter of Robert Louis Stevenson!  So of course story-telling is in her genes!!

I may just have to finish the series - because not only is Miss Buncle now married and Mrs. Abbot, but a bundle of joy is on the horizon!!

A fun read!

This meets a few categories on my Reading Challenge 2016 list:  recommended by a friend or family member, can be read in a day, a book published before you were born (ha, bet you didn't think there were many of those!!)

Phoebe recommended it - so we bought it on Amazon so we could both read it.  It is definitely lightweight - would be perfect airplane fiction.  It has a certain British charm to it.  Great literature it is not, but it is fun - something along the lines of Flavia de Luce books.

It was a perfect companion on a somewhat dreary day - a little overcast, I was home alone - try it, you might like it!

Not sure what category to put this in!

My reading challenge for 2016 is a good one - and it may take me all year to fill the categories - but what about books that fill a category I've already filled?

This is one of them - and I'm liable to have lots of books for this category - a book recommended by a family member or friend!!

Leslie told me I had to read it - and I'm glad she did!  It's a great read - not sure why I'd never heard of it - it was written in 1924 and it's been made into a movie and PBS series a few years ago.

Mary Webb is a contemporary - almost - of Thomas Hardy - and this story has many Hardy-like elements.  But it is its own story and a good one too!

When you Google it, you find out everything - you'd think they'd be spoilers - but the reading of the book - even when you know what will happen - is where the joy lies.

For starters, it's written in dialect - and she does a great job with that and you feel like you are there in time!!  Also, the characters are well-drawn and compelling.  Also, there are elements of witchcraft and legend and history and culture which add a richness to the tale.

But above all else, it is a beautiful love story.  And who doesn't love a good romance??

The Rock Store!

Katie Harvey posted some photos of geodes and I responded with a comment about Burminco, the Rock Store, and she didn't remember it!  I was somewhat aghast - because I thought everyone in Monrovia knew about Burminco.  But I guess they didn't!

I told her that if she saw a picture of the place, she'd probably remember it.  So I went hunting for a photo - and look what I found??  A photo of George Burnham - founder of Burminco.  Originally it was Burnham's Mineral Company - Bur min co!!  Very clever!

 

Also found a photo of the store - which was a house really.  The Burminco store was started in a 3-car garage that George Burham owned on Encinitas! They lived there and ran the store.  Actually George was often spending months away from home, traveling around the world, gathering rocks and minerals!!

 

When I taught at Wildrose, I took 2 students a month to Burminco - a prize for doing your work, behaving, working hard - earning tickets for all sorts of good behavior - and then we had a drawing. The prize was a walk to Burminco - and no one was ever disappointed!!

I've taken Cub Scout dens, grandchildren, and of course children!!  I was sad to see it go - it has re-located in San Dimas - not quite the same though!

Just a little "walk down Memory Lane!"

A banned book!!

How exciting to fill the category of "banned book!" in my 2016 Reading Challenge!  Phoebe lead me on to this one - it is a great read.  It's a YA or even adolescent novel, and it's really not objectionable in my book. But I can see where a conservative school district or town library could have parents and teachers who objected to its inclusion.

The story moves fast, the details are abundant, and it's totally believable that a young boy from an Indian reservation would have these kinds of experiences - at least it seems that way to me.  I have actually read other "Indian" stories that had a lot of the same elements.

The cover art makes you think it has some connection to The Indian in the Cupboard, but I didn't really see one.  Maybe it's just to make for a clever cover.

Read it - you will enjoy it!

"A book you can finish in a day!"

I have been picking away at my 2016 Reading Challenge.  My latest read was the "A book you can read in a day" category.

It was a quick read, a good story, fairly well written, and not too cliche ridden. It's the story of two relatively young people - in the late 30's - who both have early onset Alzheimers.  They both - the man and the woman - end up in the same assisted living facility.  You can imagine the turn the story takes.

What adds to the story is the inclusion or frame story of a woman and her young daughter who come to work at the facility.  The husband and father of this family recently committed suicide after being found out for a Ponzi scheme he had engineered.  Eve and her daughter become involved in the lives of the residents and workers at Rosilind House and the story takes off from there.

Some of the twists and turns are a little too "pat" but by and large the story is mostly believable - and that's why we have "the willing suspension of disbelief" isn't it??

The characters are sympathetic and not always two-dimensional - but mostly.  It's lightweight for a heavyweight topic, but it is a good read. 

And one more category is now checked off!

More from Elizabeth Strout

I previously reviewed the new novel, My Name is Lucy Barton,  by Elizabeth Strout, which I enjoyed.  I was interested because years ago I read Olive Kitteridge by the same author and quite enjoyed it - assumed I would enjoy other books by the same author.  I often read everything by one author - a habit I started in high school after reading Sinclair Lewis' Main Street.

Usually, if the author has a distinct style, I find the "sameness" of the stories and books relaxing and easy reading - what you need sometimes!

Also this go round, I am trying out another "reading challenge" for this year, but these two books don't fit any of the categories! The category they do fit, and one I'm trying to implement, is books from the library instead of buying them on Kindle!

At any rate, just finished these two.  Amy and Isabelle was a disappointment on many levels.  The story was dark and depressing with no redeeming elements.  It's about a high school math teacher who "crosses the line" with a troubled young lady in his class.  After the first few chapters, I skimmed in a major way just to get the story line.  Never a good recommendation in my book - a book you have to skim or skip!!  Thinking I should have just skipped it!  Ms. Strout's writing was a "off" too - seems as if she'd written the book to sell - and not much else, although it did win prizes when it was published.  Maybe it's me.

Just finished Abide With Me, about a minister in a small town in New England.  It was well-written, with a compelling story line and some very well-developed characters.  I often enjoy books about Protestant ministers, since that is such a foreign concept for an active Mormon.

Next books needs to be one of the categories from the challenge - not sure which one it will be!

A book published this year??

The various categories for my current reading challenge are not vast and inclusive I fear.  When Breath Becomes Air was going to count for a book published this year, but I'm going to have it be the category a book recommended by your child - since Hannah recommended it to me - and I will have this be the book published this year!!

I enjoyed Olive Kitteridge a lot, so that is what attracted this book to me, since it is by the same author.  However, it was quite a different book - and in fact I went to the library today to get earlier books by this author just to get more familiar with her.  Will let you know what I think.

My Name is Lucy Barton is very reflective - reflective in the sense that the woman - Lucy Barton - is reflecting on many different parts of her life.  Although the time frames jump around, it is easy to keep the thread.  The story is basically that of a woman who is in the hospital for 9 weeks - we never know exactly why - and her mother comes to visit her after a very long absence.  The story is very spare - but full anyway.  The richness of language is apparent in its sparseness.

I do wish I knew more about the woman and her life though.  Maybe that was the author's intent.

It might not appeal to everyone, but I found it compelling. 

First Challenge of My New Reading Challenge!

The title of this very moving memoir comes from the writings of English diarist Baron Greville, "You that seek what life is in death, Now find it air that once was breath." And thus Dr. Kalanithi goes on to share with us his journey to death - a death that came much sooner than he had ever imagined.

It sounds morbid or depressing perhaps, but Dr. Kalanithi was a student of letters before he was a student of science.  He earned a masters degree in literature before choosing to go to medical school. Thus words for him are paramount - and he parses his words beautifully.  That is one way that this story is lifted from the possibly maudlin to nearly sublime at some junctures.

But what is mostly compelling is his ability to tell his story in a way that makes us feel that we are on the journey with him.  The scientific and medical detail is thorough, and even though I couldn't always follow it exactly, the sense of what he was trying to say came through.

He starts with the discovery of his cancer, then moves to the background of his journey to that point, and back to the discovery.  He wrote up until the end of his life, and probably did not feel that he'd told the whole story.  The epilogue by his wife is very beautifully written also.

I wept as read the ending.  As one reviewer noted, even though you know the outcome, you are still mesmerized by his story.  I would highly recommend it to one and all.

And thanks,  Hannah,  for sending me the link about it!

Reading in 2016

I confess readily to an addiction to reading.  I read lots of books.  Whenever folks ask me how I find time to read so much, I usually reply that I read when I ought to be doing other stuff!!

Last year I met - and exceeded the challenge to read a book a week - that would be 52 books - I read 61! My high school friend Sharon McKinney sent me a reading challenge that I think I am going to try - I'm sure there's a link, but I will just summarize it here:

a book published this year

a book you can finish in a day

a book you've been meaning to read

a book recommended by your librarian or bookseller

a book you should have read in school

a book chosen for you by your spouse, partner, sibling or child

a book published before you were born

a book that was banned at some point

a book you previously abandoned

a book you own but have never read

a book that intimidates you

a book you're already read at least once

Many of these categories can overlap - so I may have to read more than 12 books! For example, Hannah recommended a book published this year that I am reading now - but I won't use it to check off 2 categories!!

And I'm excited for such a good excuse to once again re-read Gone With the Wind! Some will be true challenges - finishing books I've abandoned may be the toughest - after all, there's usually a good reason for abandoning a book! And all the books I own but haven't read are mostly dry old classics - that will be tough.

But I will keep you posted - and any suggestions that fit the above criteria above are welcome!!

 

number 61

Well, so much for not reading another book in 2015!!  Hannah had read it and talked about it - so I got it on Kindle - and the rest is history!!

And much like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie," I now feel like I need to see the movie!!  Hope it sticks around for a bit so I can get it on my calendar!

Don't know much about this writer -  he has been short-listed several times for the Mann-Booker Prize - which says something good about him! And his prose is easy to read - somewhat lyrical - and for a man, he does a great job of writing from a woman's point of view.

But I'm not sure that I agree with some of the reviewers who were waxing eloquent about what a love story this was - it seems to be more a story about the times and the cultures.  

Maybe that is what love is about!

I may try another of his books.

When Phoebe was a baby, we got a baby sitter for her and took Bonny and Harry to the first Star Wars movie - it was amazing in our eyes - the world had just never seen this kind of film-making.

Harry wanted to be Luke for Halloween for a couple of years - and it was pretty easy to oblige him.

We are a Star Wars family.

And Harry and I saw the latest tonight - and we are still a Star Wars family!!

It's good - well-done and entertaining - what a movie is supposed to be!

Book number 60!! That's it for 2015!

My goal for 2015 was to read 52 books - which amounts to one a week.  Someone posted the challenge somewhere, and I picked up the gauntlet!!  I hit 52 books a few weeks back, and thought I might as well go to 60 - which amounts to 5 books a month!!  (Somehow that sounds like more!) Also, I sort of need to be reading a book all the time - how else do you pass time in waiting rooms, doctor's offices, and post office lines?

This last one was a random suggestion from Phoebe - I was texting her about some titles she had thrown out to me when we were up there visiting and she threw out a few more!  But I dare not start a book at this point in the holiday season - even mediocre books have a tendency to get me wrapped up in them and I read - and do not much else!

So this one - about which Phoebe said, "I enjoyed this one - but then I think I had low expectations!" was an entertaining read - mostly.  It did bog down with some "preaching" about dreams and expectations - but I am able to skim that kind of stuff.  It started out better than it wrapped up - often a problem with current fiction.

But it's good airplane fiction!

What will be my challenge for 2017?  104 books?  120 books?  

I think I should commit to trying to just read library books!!

57, 58, 59!

Well, my quest to read 52 books in one year was certainly a successful one - I'm wondering if I can get 60 - which would mean 5 a month - somehow seems more impressive than one a week with some left over!!

I am mostly impressed that I've kept track!!  I have read a lot of books in my life - it would be interesting to have a list - but that's not going to happen!!  And I'm sure I've read some forgettable books that don't even deserve to be on a list.  But it's nice to meet a challenge - and book challenges seem to appeal to me.  A couple of years ago I vowed to not buy any physical books.  It happened but I sure bought a lot of Kindle books!!  This year I have tried to use the library more.  I love libraries but I often can't find what I'm looking for and it's just easier to get in on Kindle - because Kindle seems to have everything!!

Eliza referred to the above novel in a blog post - she said it was a kind of remake of House of Mirth - and I loved House of Mirth - in fact I love all things Edith Wharton - so I got it on Kindle of course!! 

Took me longer to read than usual - it really didn't "get" me right away.  But about half-way through the story gained momentum.  One night I could not sleep - I hate insomnia - but thanks to being able to read in the dark with a Kindle, I read - all night - like until 4:35 in the morning!!

I read a couple of reviews - after the fact - and I agree with one.  The reviewer said the House of Mirth comparison was not warranted - and it's been awhile since I read it so I will take her word for it - but she went on to find other aspects of the story that she felt had merit.  Good character development was one.  And a great eye for detail was another.  I really found myself in "another world!"  My big complaint was the "tidy" ending - I wonder why authors have such a hard time "wrapping up" a story.  

Depending on how you feel about Edith Wharton, you may or may not want to check this out.  As a cautionary tale, it has great merit - being sucked into a lifestyle you are not really suited for seems to be a prevalent mistake - and this tale seems bent on having the heroine suffer every indignity as she flounders in way over her head.

One reviewer felt that Evelyn was not a lovable or sympathetic main character, but I found myself feeling very sorry for her and wishing I could help her!!

No one ever does, but if you do or have read this, let me know what you think!

I found Salem Falls in a little free library on one of my morning walks.  I was up for some total escape fiction - and Jodi Picoult, who writes the same story every time, is good for escape if nothing else!!  It's pretty much just escape!

I did scout out the library one day and picked up a couple of Lisa See novels - they were better than I expected.  Dreams of Joy is a sequel to Shanghai Girls - I love getting my history from a well-told story - and that is what this is.

I  had no idea of the scope and detail of the Cultural Revolution in China and the role Mao played.  I also enjoyed the detail about Chinese life in the country.  It was not a waste of time!

Christmas Memories!

The year we rented the place up in the mountains.  An ill-fated venture!

 

It did start out well enough though!

 

And the kids had fun.

 

And Robbie showed his mettle!!

 

You need the not so good to appreciate the really good!!